Printer Buying Guide
If you’re looking for a printer you’ll see that there are many different options to choose from. This can create something of a dilemma - with so many on offer, how do you choose the right one for you? Our printer buying guide is designed to help you understand all the different options that are out there and to pick the one that is going to be ideal for your needs.
The wireless option
Wireless printers don’t need to be connected to the device you’re printing from - other than by being on the same Wi-Fi - and anyone in your home can use the printer without the need to be in the same room. Wireless printers allow you to connect from any device by simply pairing it so you can print from a laptop or a phone instead.
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Different printer choices
When you’re choosing a printer you’re likely to find three options available: inkjet, laser and all-in-one printers.
- Inkjet printers create an image by depositing drops of ink onto paper and can print anything, from tickets to photos. They are the most common printer in use in a home setting and can print onto any paper type. They tend to be less expensive than laser printers and inkjet cartridges come with a lower cost too.
- Laser printers use static electricity to attract toner onto paper and are renowned for the sharpness of the text they produce. A laser printer is the best choice for high volume printing and can help to reduce average printing costs where that is the case. Toner cartridges do tend to be more expensive than an inkjet cartridge but they also have a much higher yield.
- All-in-one printers combines a number of different functions into one single piece of equipment. Usually, this includes a copier, scanner and printer - also sometimes a fax. All-in-one printers can be laser or inkjet and are very space efficient for small offices and home working.
Key details to look at
When you’re buying a printer these are some of the other features that could have an impact on which is going to be the right one for you:
- PPM (pages per minute) - this is how fast the printer can produce pages. The average black and white printer PPM will be around 15 - 20 per minute and for colour printers 10 - 15 pages per minute.
- Duty cycle - the number of pages per month you can reasonably expect from a particular model.
- Connectivity - most printers today will offer a range of different connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, cloud connectivity, USB and ethernet.
- Double sided options - some printers can print and scan double sided copies without the need for you to manually switch the paper over. If this is something that’s likely to be key to the way you use the printer then it will be an important feature to look for.
The right printer can help keep your costs down and make life much easier on a daily basis. Find your ideal printer from our wide selection.
